Kaja Sokola arrived at Manhattan criminal court in New York on Wednesday to testify in Harvey Weinstein’s retrial for sexual assault. Sokola alleged that Weinstein forced oral sex on her in 2006. In 2020, prosecutors privately spoke with Sokola about her claims.
However, the jury was not informed about her allegations at that time as prosecutors were still investigating. Weinstein, convicted in February 2020 on charges based on other women’s accusations, had his conviction overturned last year, leading to this retrial. Sokola, 39, a psychotherapist and author who recently launched a film production company, began telling her story to the jury on Wednesday.
She did not glance at Weinstein while taking the stand. Weinstein, now 73, has pleaded not guilty to all the charges. Sokola, originally from Poland, filed a lawsuit against Weinstein following the surge of public accusations in 2017 that fueled the #MeToo movement.
She allegedly received $3.5 million in compensation. In her testimony, Sokola described her early life aspirations in acting and writing, despite being pushed into modeling by her family.
Sokola testifies in Weinstein retrial
By 16, she was living in New York, navigating the modeling industry alone. She stated she met Weinstein during a modeling trip in New York in 2002. Shortly after, Weinstein allegedly invited her to lunch under the guise of discussing her career but instead sexually assaulted her.
The criminal charge focuses on an incident in May 2006, where Sokola alleges Weinstein forcibly performed oral sex on her after arranging for her to be an extra in the film “The Nanny Diaries.”
Sokola’s older sister, Dr. Ewa Sokola, testified about a meeting with Weinstein in a hotel lobby where they discussed Italian movies and Weinstein’s health. She recounted that Kaja returned from a meeting with Weinstein visibly tense but did not disclose the alleged assault until years later, revealed in a magazine article.
The defense, led by attorney Arthur Aidala, will soon have the chance to cross-examine Sokola. Aidala has already questioned why Sokola waited years before coming forward. The retrial, following the New York’s highest court’s reversal of Weinstein’s initial conviction, has included allegations from other women as well.
Notably, Miriam Haley, another accuser, testified last week that Weinstein had forced oral sex on her in 2006. Another accuser, Jessica Mann, is expected to testify later in the trial. This trial continues to shed light on the patterns of abuse alleged against Weinstein, with the testimonies of Sokola and others forming a crucial part of the prosecution’s case.
